Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) issued a challenge to his Republican colleagues – say the words “black lives matter” and I will yield my time on the floor.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) replied with a truth that left Swalwell a sputtering mess, demanding that his time be given back.
The tense exchange came in the midst of a House Judiciary Committee markup session regarding the Democrats’ Justice in Policing Act reform bill.
Swalwell, the failed presidential candidate, explained that he had never understood the phrase “black lives matter” until his “white privilege” was explained to him by his “African-American friends.”
And that’s when he issued the challenge.
.@RepSwalwell: “Can anyone on the Republican side say unequivocally black lives matter?”
Rep. @MattGaetz: “Unequivocally, all lives matter.” pic.twitter.com/Ukk0auQxw7
— The Hill (@thehill) June 17, 2020
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All Lives Matter
Bending to the whim of those who tell you you’re privileged, even though you feel you aren’t, as Swalwell explained, is peak 2020 liberal.
Yet, here he was challenging his colleagues to do the same. Demanding that they make everything a black and white issue – which is the very definition of racism.
“And so I would yield to any of my colleagues on the Republican side who can unequivocally say – as we calibrate where we are right now – that black lives matter,” he tested.
Gaetz interjected saying, “I thank the gentleman for yielding.”
“Does the gentleman believe that all lives matter as well?” he asked. “I think black lives matter, I think all lives matter.”
While Gaetz clearly stated what Swalwell had asked for, the man whose most ‘courageous’ move in Congress was to walk two extra blocks in a driving flurry to get a coffee because he refused to go to Trump Tower, didn’t yield.
It’s snowing in #NewYork. I need coffee. The closest cafe is inside Trump Tower. This is me walking to an alternative. pic.twitter.com/RLb0tAy2yT
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) February 20, 2019
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Rattled
Clearly rattled by Gaetz’s counter-challenge, Swalwell replied twice – “Reclaiming my time.”
He again asked Republicans to say the words “black lives matter,” which Gaetz had already done. But the Florida lawmaker wasn’t about to let up on his own request.
“Unequivocally all lives matter,” Gaetz fired back. “Why is that a problem to acknowledge?”
The only reason it would be a problem to acknowledge such a fundamental truth is due to the Democrats’ desire to create racial division in our country rather than racial harmony.
Turns out, the American people side with Gaetz …
59% of voters say #AllLivesMatter when asked which of the statements is closer to their own, down from 78% in 2015. 30% say #BlackLivesMatter, up from 11% in the previous survey. 9% say neither statement reflects their point of view… https://t.co/ahBH1FHc0Y pic.twitter.com/9TgSLiytGf
— Rasmussen Reports (@Rasmussen_Poll) June 17, 2020
Following Swalwell getting owned, Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-TX) decided to placate him.
“I can say unequivocally black lives do matter,” Gohmert said. “Unequivocally, black lives matter. Every life is precious, God-given, and black lives matter. Unequivocally. Every life’s important.”
Which is essentially what Gaetz said as well.
Other Republicans had no issue whatsoever stating “black lives matter” either.
Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) when given the floor told Swalwell, “I want to state unequivocally that black lives matter, and also want to state unequivocally that I recognize that you have lived a privileged life.”
Buck then welcomed the Democrats to the pro-life movement.
